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Initiative & Referendum

Since 1902 the voters of Oregon have been able to take part in a form of direct democracy known nationally as “The Petition Process”. By gathering the required number of valid signatures on an initiative or referendum petition residents are given the authority to introduce or change laws by placing an issue on the ballot for a vote of the people.

Before circulating an initiative or referendum petition, be sure to contact the election officer of your city, county, or state to have your petition approved for circulation.

Initiative Petitions – Upon receiving approval from the appropriate filing agency, these petitions are utilized to collect the signatures needed to place a measure on the ballot, in the form of an advisory question, memorial, statute, ordinance, charter amendment, or constitutional amendment.

Referendum Petitions – Upon receiving approval from the appropriate filing agency, these petitions are utilized to collect the signatures needed to place a measure on the ballot, for the reason of repealing laws or amendments passed by the state or local governing bodies.

Referrals – Measures can be referred to the ballot by the governing body of the State, County, City, or Special District in accordance with the governing statutes for each.

STATE

Forms to file (offsite link, opens in new window) at the Secretary of State's office, deadline, 165 days prior to the election.

Initiative Petitions shall be signed by not less than 6% of the total votes cast in the state for all candidates for governor at the last election in which a candidate for governor was elected to a term of four years (eight percent for constitutional amendments).

Referendum Petitions shall be signed by not less than 4% of the total votes cast in the state for all candidates for governor at the last election in which a candidate for governor was elected to a term of four years

COUNTY

Forms to file (offsite link, opens in new window) at the County Clerk’s office, deadline, 90 days prior to the election.

Initiative Petitions shall be signed by not less than 6% of the total votes cast in the county for all candidates for governor at the last election in which a candidate for governor was elected to a full term of four years.

Referendum Petitions shall be signed by not less than 4% of the total votes cast in the county for all candidates for governor at the last election in which a candidate for governor was elected to a full term of four years

CITY

Forms to file (offsite link, opens in new window) at the City Clerk’s office.

Initiative Petitions shall be signed by not less than 15% of electors registered in the city at the time the prospective petition in filed.

Referendum Petitions shall be signed by not less than 10% of electors registered in the city at the time the prospective petition in filed.

SPECIAL DISTRICT

Forms to file (offsite link, opens in new window) at the County Clerk’s office, deadline, specific to each election

Initiative Petitions shall be signed by not less than 15% of the total votes cast in the district for all candidates for governor at the last election in which a candidate for governor was elected to a full term of four years.

Referendum Petitions shall be signed by not less than 10% of the total votes cast in the district for all candidates for governor at the last election in which a candidate for governor was elected to a full term of four years.